Compensation for travel expenses

If you are going to a job interview in a city other than where you live, in some cases you may be able to receive compensation for travel and accommodation. If you are participating in a programme in a different city or if you were granted an evaluation, you can also receive compensation. You must contact the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) to apply for travel compensation before your trip.

Travel contribution for job interview

When you are going to travel to a job interview in an area outside of typical daily commuting distance, you may receive compensation for travel and accommodation amounting to up to SEK 2,500 if you meet all of the following conditions. You

have applied for a travel contribution before your journey
are at least 20 years of age and are unemployed or at risk of becoming unemployed
are registered with us as a jobseeker.

In this case, “outside of typical daily commuting distance” means at least 3 hours of round-trip travel.

In addition,

we must conclude that the visit is necessary for you to be hired for the job and that you cannot get a job in or near your home city
the job must be or have been advertised in the Job Bank (Platsbanken) or equivalent in the EU or EEA country where you are seeking work. The job can also be or have been advertised on the EURES website.

Remember to save relevant information about the job that you applied for, for example a link to the advertisement in the Job Bank, the advertisement ID number, or a picture of the advertisement. You may need to submit this information to us when you apply for your travel contribution.

How to receive a decision and book your journey

Well in advance of travelling, contact the Public Employment Service on 0771-416 416 to apply for a travel contribution. You should contact us no later than three business days before a trip within Sweden and no more than five business days before a trip within the EU/EEA.
We will assess whether all of the conditions are met and then make a decision on your right to compensation.
If the decision is positive, we will notify you of how much compensation you can receive and come to an agreement with you on how to book your travel and any accommodation. The Public Employment Service can book flights within the EU or EEA and train travel within Sweden, Norway and Denmark. You can also book the trip yourself and request compensation for your expenses afterward.

Travel compensation for programme or evaluation

You may receive travel compensation if you

are registered in one of our programmes and need to travel to a different city
are receiving vocational rehabilitation (arbetslivsinriktad rehabilitering)
are undergoing an evaluation before you start a programme.
For daily travel, you may receive compensation for the portion of travel costs exceeding what a typical daily commute costs where you live. You must always pay at least SEK 600/month yourself.
If you are travelling a long distance and need accommodation in the area, you may receive compensation for a journey to the programme when it begins, and a journey home when the programme has concluded. If the programme is longer than 14 days, you may also receive one round-trip journey home and back per month.

When you visit us before a decision on the introduction programme (etableringsprogrammet), you may also receive compensation for the trip to and from the Public Employment Service.

Compensation for accommodation

If the programme is less than 30 days, you can receive compensation for the cost of accommodation in the other location. You can book your accommodation through us, in which case you do not need to pay out of your own pocket.

If the programme is 30 days or longer, you may receive SEK 110/day in compensation for accommodation, but no more than SEK 2,400/month. You arrange your accommodation yourself.

How to receive a decision and book your journey

You must apply in writing for a travel contribution before your trip. Call us on 0771-416 416 for information about how it works.

How to request compensation for your expenses

You will request compensation after making your purchases. What to do:

Log in to My pages (Mina sidor) using your e-identification (such as mobile BankID).
If we have decided you are entitled to compensation, you will see the option “Compensation for travel (Ersättning för resa).” Remember that it may take several days after a decision has been made before the option “Compensation for travel” (Ersättning för resa) appears on My pages (Mina sidor).
Click “Compensation for travel” (Ersättning för resa) and enter your information in accordance with the instructions in the digital service.
When you are finished, sign using your e-identification.

If you do not have a computer or electronic identification

If for some reason you cannot apply for compensation on-line, you can call us on 0771-416 416.

Frequently asked questions

It says you must contact the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) well in advance of your trip in order to apply for travel compensation. What happens if I apply for travel compensation closer to the trip?

One of the requirements for travel compensation for travel to an interview is that the application must be submitted before the trip. The Public Employment Service must then determine whether all of the conditions for the support have been met before making a decision on the travel compensation. After a positive decision, Af Resor can schedule all or part of your trip, including possible accommodation. It may therefore be an advantage for you as a jobseeker to apply for the travel compensation well in advance of your trip.

If you apply for the travel compensation too close to your trip, the agency might not have the opportunity to make an assessment and a decision before your trip. However, applying closer to your trip does not constitute grounds to deny you compensation for travel.

A consequence of applying for the travel compensation closer to your trip is that you might have to pay for your travel and possible accommodation yourself. If, after making an assessment, the Public Employment Service grants you compensation for travel, you can request compensation for your expenses for travel and possible accommodation.

May I choose the mode of transport myself?

The first choice for the journey is to use public transport, such as train or bus. The Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) can reimburse the cost of the journey in your own car if there is a reason for you to drive yourself.

Driving there yourself may be justified if there is no public transport option or if service frequency is very limited, or if your ability to travel by public transport is limited due to sickness or disability. Your decision includes the mode of transport granted by the Public Employment Service.

How do I apply for a mileage reimbursement?

If you have been granted travel with your own vehicle, you can apply for a mileage reimbursement after travel. You do not need to include any receipts.

If you have been granted travel for participation in a programme, you will only receive compensation for the days when you needed to travel to and from the organiser. Apply for your mileage reimbursement the month after you have travelled and fill in the number of travel days. One travel day corresponds to one return journey.

What time period should I enter when I apply for compensation for my travel expenses by public transport?

Start from the month when you travelled or started the journey(s). The period must be the same as the month specified in the application on My Pages.

If you have a travel pass that extends over a new month, you specify dates from the first day of validity until the last date of validity of the travel pass.

When do I need to save receipts?

If you have paid for travel or accommodation yourself, you need to save receipts to support your expenses. You must attach the receipts when you apply for compensation. The receipts must include date of purchase, validity period and how much you paid.

When will I receive the money?

In order for us to be able to pay your compensation, you first need to fill out an application for compensation, after which you will receive your money. Normally you will receive the money within a few working days. If your application needs to be supplemented, it may take a bit more time before you receive the money.

How will I receive my money?

Swedbank handles the payments. If you have a bank account connected to your personal identity number, the money will be deposited there regardless of which bank you have. Swedbank will send you a message with information about the payment.

If you do not have a bank account, you will receive a giro payment order in the post instead.

If you have received a giro payment order and want the next payment to be deposited in your bank account you must contact Swedbank. You can register your account on Swedbank’s website.

The payment date that is shown in the digital service ‘Compensation for travel’ on My Pages is the date when we make the payment. It can take a few days after this before the money is deposited in your account or you receive a payment order.

Can my escort also receive a reimbursement?

Yes, if you need an escort in connection with your travel, your escort can receive reimbursement for their travel expenses, subsistence, accommodation costs and loss of earnings.

Why have I received a decision stating I am liable to make a repayment?

If you give us erroneous information, cannot support travel with valid receipts or have otherwise caused a reimbursement to be paid out erroneously or at an amount that is too high, you may be liable to make a repayment.

I have heard about reimbursement for commuting and a resettlement allowance. Is that support still in place?

No, reimbursement for commuting and the resettlement allowance are no longer in place.

I am no longer registered with Arbetsförmedlingen; what do I do to apply for compensation after travel via My Pages?

It is not possible to apply for compensation via My Pages if you are no longer registered with Arbetsförmedlingen. Call us on 0771-416 416 so that we can help you.

Will compensation for travel with my own vehicle be increased?

Compensation from Arbetsförmedlingen for travel with your own vehicle is still SEK 1.85 per kilometre. Compensation from Arbetsförmedlingen should not be confused with the Swedish Tax Agency’s increase in tax reduction for travel to and from work.

Where do I turn if I have further questions?

If you have questions that have not been answered here, you are welcome to contact us. Tell us that your question is about reimbursement of travel expenses.